Five years later, Masindi fails to implement alcohol ordinance

Masindi: Authorities in Masindi District have failed to implement an alcohol ordinance passed in 2020 to regulate excessive alcohol consumption and related activities in the district.

The ordinance bans the sale of alcohol to children and their involvement in the sale of alcoholic drinks. It also sets specific operating hours for bars from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on working days and 2:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on weekends.

The ordinance provides penalties for offenders, including cancellation of trading licences, imprisonment for up to six months and a fine of two currency points.

However, five years after its passage, the ordinance has not been implemented.

Moris Ogeny, the Executive Director of Alpha Action for Social Economic Development (AASED), attributes the failure to implement the ordinance to inadequate funding and resources.

“The district passed the alcohol ordinance, but it would not be implemented because they lacked the budget and resources to enforce it,” Ogeny said.

He also blamed inadequate public sensitisation and possible conflicts of interest among some officials expected to enforce the ordinance.

Ogeny said the recently issued directive by the Minister for Local Government, Balaam Barugahara, requiring bars to open at 3:00 p.m. could also face implementation challenges.

He called for community sensitisation, adequate budgeting and strict enforcement mechanisms to ensure compliance.

Rogers Kanti, a Masindi resident, said alcohol regulation has historically faced implementation challenges because drinking is deeply embedded in Ugandan social and cultural practices.

“It is hard to separate alcohol from Africans, particularly Ugandans, because it has existed for decades and is used during traditional ceremonies, including introductions,” Kanti said.

He questioned whether the government would effectively enforce the 3:00 p.m. directive, arguing that alcohol contributes significantly to government revenue.

William Mwambu, the Masindi District Councillor representing Persons with Disabilities, who raised the issue in 2020, said he proposed the ordinance after observing increasing alcoholism and the involvement of children in bar activities.

“We tabled the ordinance to curb alcoholism in the district and encourage the community to engage in productive activities,” Mwambu said.

Mwambu, who also serves as secretary for social services, said the by-law was submitted to the Ministry of Local Government and the Attorney General for approval but the district had not received a response.

He said the district is now prepared to implement the minister’s directive on bar opening hours.

“We shall implement the minister’s directive because we had already made efforts to regulate alcohol consumption in the district, although they did not yield results,” Mwambu said.

He added that the directive could help reduce the amount of time residents spend in bars and address challenges such as school dropouts and children engaging in activities around bars.

Grace Aceng, a local brewery maker, said restricting bar operating hours would affect their businesses and ability to meet financial obligations. “If the opening time for bars is limited, we are likely to lose clients, yet we have responsibilities such as paying rent, school fees and taxes,” Aceng said.

She appealed for the opening time to be moved from 3:00 p.m. to midday to allow local brewers to make adequate sales.

Gabriel Kumakech, a drinker, said he relies on alcohol and wants the government to allow people to drink at times of their choice.

Gerald Mugume, another drinker, said some people who spend time in bars are hardworking and travel long distances to access local brews.

However, Kanti urged members of the public to drink responsibly, even as he questioned the government’s ability to enforce the directive.

Mwambu said the district would hold a meeting with the security team, including the Resident District Commissioner, to agree on how the directive would be enforced.

He warned bar operators against opening before 3:00 p.m., saying those who violate the directive risk having their licences revoked.

Solomon Mugisa, the Albertine North Regional Community Liaison Officer and Acting Regional Police Spokesperson, said police had not yet received official instructions from the Inspector General of Police to enforce the directive.

“As police, we have not yet received a directive from the Inspector General of Police to implement the bar-opening directive. If we receive the guidelines, we shall implement the minister’s directive,” Mugisa said.

He advised members of the public against excessive drinking, particularly during morning hours, saying alcohol abuse can affect individual productivity and national development.

“People should drink responsibly and avoid boozing in the morning because it affects development,” Mugisa said.

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